The Monsanto Company Office of Law and Policy (OLP), has an opening for the position of Assistant General Counsel. An Assistant General Counsel at Monsanto is a highly experienced attorney with substantial responsibility for advising the Company concerning increasingly complex legal issues related to a variety of business activities. The responsibilities include providing legal services, both directly and through the use of outside counsel, in multiple operating regions.
This position calls for the utmost integrity and accountability and requires the successful candidate to assist the OLP in managing a broad range of legal and policy matters with specific focus on Monsanto’s Code of Business Conduct, compliance with anti-corruption laws such as The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, other anti-corruption laws where Monsanto operates, and international trade law matters. This position will manage legal-centric projects and research and actively respond, both verbally and in writing, to a caseload of domestic and international legal matters. Occasionally this position will be asked to externally advocate legal and policy initiatives which promote the Company's interests.
As a member of the law department, this position will provide support to a diverse, global client group, focusing on those specific areas of the law as may be assigned from time to time.
Specific Job Responsibilities
Support the Director of Business Conduct in analysis and management of allegations of corrupt, fraudulent or illegal behavior, taking ownership of Business Conduct Office law-centric projects, conduct risk assessments, leadership of monthly regional working group updates and training, enforcement of the conflicts of interest policy, advising employees on lobbying and government official interaction, and other routine legal matters involving requests for guidance made of the Business Conduct Office
Provide legal support and guidance on trade law matters, including export controls, embargoes, economic sanctions, customs classification, valuation, rules of origin, duty drawback, CBP audits, including Focused Assessments and Importer Self Assessments, and supply chain security programs (e.g., C-TPAT)
Design, review and assess internal export and import controls, procedures, processes, and provide training
Investigate anti-corruption and fraud related allegations, lead and manage internal investigations , provide anti-corruption compliance advice and training, and develop global strategies to mitigate corruption and bribery risk
Ensure all ethics-related programs meet Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the FCPA Resource Guide to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other authoritative guidance from other countries Support Internal Audit efforts for oversight of the business, affiliates, and freight forwarders for compliance with export procedures / policies, assist in development of corrective action plans to address deficiencies and/or add new controls for meeting regulatory changes domestically and internationally
Participate on Monsanto compliance committees and related international regional working groups
Advise on global anti-corruption policy development and emerging issues in corporate compliance, manage the revision process for compliance related policies and protocols and benchmark Monsanto best practices with leading companies
Work collaboratively with other members of OLP and the company on current and proposed company policies and initiatives (e.g., Human Rights, Business Conduct, U.S. federal lobbying and reporting, etc.)
Manage outside counsel to ensure high quality, cost-effective legal support and representation
Model professionalism, integrity, accountability, trustworthiness and sound judgment in all areas
Basic Qualifications
Legal authorization to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for any employer
Juris Doctor or LLM from a U.S. institution
U.S. Bar member in good standing
A minimum of 8+ years of experience as an attorney in a law firm, government or in-house legal department with relevant experience
Demonstrated academic and professional excellence with proven aptitude and competence in compliance related practice areas
Adherence to a strict code of conduct
Strong and demonstrated leadership and strategic thinking skills
Knowledge and experience of anti-corruption laws and international trade laws
Previous experience conducting internal investigations
Subject matter expertise in 3rd party due diligence and risk assessment processes
Strong team player mentality
Ability to build cross practice, cross department and cross functional relationships
Required Competencies
Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and project management skills
Sound legal judgment and a calm, confident, practical, solutions-oriented and collaborative approach
Rapid information assimilation ability
Dimensional and creative thought in issue identification and resolution
Personal and professional growth orientation
Agility with change management and prioritization skills
Team orientation with the ability to work in a martix organization, interact effectively and cooperatively at all levels in the Monsanto organization
Preferred Qualifications & Background
Experience working for a multinational company or representation of multinational companies
Prior in-house experience or prior prosecutorial experience (Preferably with the Department of Justice, the Securities & Exchange Commission or a State Attorney or District Attorney’s office)
Background in public policy and government relations
Multilingual